Ko wai mātou

Our people

Te Paepae Auaha

Meet the paepae auaha (creative team) behind our work.

Jim Moriarty

Kaitohu - Director

Kaihuawaere - Facilitator

Jim is co-founder and rangatira on the paepae auaha. He has been creating Theatre as a tool for change since 1989.

Helen Pearse-Otene

Kaituhi - Writer
Kaihuawaere - Facilitator

Helen's work as a writer, researcher and facilitator has been at the heart of our creative work since 1999.

Lisa Maule

Kaihautū - Producer

Lisa is an award-winning lighting designer, producer, educator and researcher with a long history in theatre.

Dylan Fa'atui

Associate Producer

Dylan is a Sāmoan creative practitioner who is being mentored by Te Rākau in producing and playwrighting.

Kauia Moriarty

Kaihautū - Producer

Kauia grew up in a large creative family, working in a variety of operational and leadership roles.

Rylee Herewini

Kaimahi

Rylee is a rangatahi Māori (nō Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou me Te Whakatōhea), born and raised in Porirua.

Kamaia Bainbridge-Frost

Kaiawhina Kaiwhakatairanga -Marketing Assistant

Kamaia is a Māori Sāmoan rangatahi in her final year of a Bachelor of Communications at Massey University.

Kariata & Tamati Moriarty

Kaiwhakaari & Hurō Productions

Hariata & Tamati are emerging producers and award winning rangatahi. Te Rākau partners with Hurō.

Ngā Kaimahi

Te Rākau works with a wide network of creative artists and professionals to create our work.

Kimberly Skipper & Jeremy Davis

Kimberley (Ngati Porou,Te Atiawa) joined Te Rākau in 2014.

Jeremy Davis (Ngāti Maniapoto, Aitutaki, Mangaia) based in Hutt Valley, Wellington

Workshop Facilitators & Kapa Haka & Choreographers

Hurō Productions

Kamaia is a Māori Sāmoan rangatahi in her final year of a Bachelor of Communications at Massey University.

Saul Kolio

Saul is a Sāmoan creative, painter-decorator, loving father, trainee therapist and sober man. Since joining Te Rākau in 2019, he has contributed to community projects and digital works such as The Swing and Unreel.

Kaiwhakaari - Performer

Cara Louise Waretini

Known for her awhi and title as 'Aunty', Cara's long-time role on the creative paepae elevates our artistic work. She is an award-winning costume designer, including receiving Te Tohu Iho Pūmanawa in 2021.

Kaihoahoa Kākahu -
Costume Designer

Ari Hayvice

Ari is a creative based in Te Whanganui a Tara, with interests in musical theatre, film and kaupapa Māori. Ari joined Te Rākau in 2014 when they made their professional theatre debut in The Ragged.

Kaiwhakaari - Performer
Trustee

Regan Taylor

Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāti Pikiao
A graduate of The Ucol Theatre School. Regan has been involved within Aotearoa theatre for the past two decades as a director, actor, writer, producer and tutor.

Assistant Director & Performer

Ngā Mana Whakahaere

our mana whakahaere (board members) guide Te Rākau according to shared vision and values.

a big group shot of about 15 people outsdie in front of carved posts, there is a baby and a couple of kids too

Chairperson
Kauia Moriarty

Treasurer
Lisa Maule

Board Members

Jeremy Davis, Dylan Fa'atui, Ari Hayvice, Rylee Herewini, Raewyn Klenner, Jim Moriarty, Erena Page, Kimberley Skipper, Brooke Wharehinga, Regan Taylor, Paula King